Many local governments on the Tohoku coast that were damaged by the Great East Japan Earthquake held a memorial service on March 11 every year, but they did not hold a ceremony because 10 years had passed since the outbreak. Some local governments are starting to set up a flower stand.
NHK asked local governments along the coast of Miyagi, Fukushima, and Iwate prefectures about the memorial event on the 11th of this month.
According to the interview, out of the 31 municipalities that held the memorial service until last year, 12 cities and towns in 2 prefectures such as Minamisanriku Town in Miyagi Prefecture and Naraha Town in Fukushima Prefecture will not hold the ceremony and will set up a flower stand. Is to do.
Many local government officials pointed out that 10 years have passed, there are cost issues, and the government-sponsored memorial service held in Tokyo until last year will not be held.
Of these, Sendai City initially planned to hold a ceremony, but changed to a format in which a flower stand is set up because of the spread of the new coronavirus infection.
On the other hand, 19 municipalities such as Ishinomaki City in Miyagi Prefecture, Rikuzentakata City in Iwate Prefecture, and Futaba Town in Fukushima Prefecture will hold memorial services.
In Kesennuma City, Miyagi Prefecture, instead of a memorial service, a panel discussion on the theme of the earthquake will be held on the day of learning about disaster prevention, and the judgments of local governments are divided over memorial services and folklore.